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And the staff are always one step ahead to ensure you have the best possible stay.

Getting our son Freddie to leave the children’s play zone, The Hideaway, was the hardest part of our whole visit.

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The spa garden is the ideal place to relax. (Image: Lucknam Park)

The converted cottage contains several rooms, including soft play for the smallest through to techie heaven for teens, but Fred was particularly taken with the mini supermarket.

It felt a little like we had arrived in a scene from Mary Poppins when, at bedtime, Tricia from The Hotel Nanny arrived to take care of Freddie while we popped down to Restaurant Hywel Jones (no one wants a two year old in tow when the chef has a Michelin-star and you plan to linger over the tasting menu).

Who you’ll see in the steam room: Mums on the run, minimooners, horsey types having a post-hack rub down and couples busy pretending they are Lord and Lady of the Manor while ducking themselves in the salt plunge pool and hydrotherapy baths.

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Time for one treatment: If you’ve been exercising alfresco in the hotel’s new outdoor gym (as well as the usual local park-style pull-up bars, it is equipped with a cross trainer, spinning bike and rowing machine), book in for the spa’s new signature treatment.

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The Grand Hotel, Brighton, East Sussex

The lowdown: Within a stone’s throw of Brighton’s pebbly shores and strolling distance from the famous pier, Royal Pavilion and vibrant Lanes shopping alleyways.

While the famous exterior is still having a spruce up, the interior of the hotel has been totally refurbished but retains all the lavish hallmarks of the Victorian era, with a heavy dose of stylish Art-Deco glamour.

Indulge in sublime seafood at the hotel’s main restaurant, the 2AA Rosette GB1.

The sea bass with suckling pig chorizo came highly recommended by our waitress and lived up to the hype.

Just make sure you request a table with a sea view – and leave time to swing by the Victoria Bar for live jazz and a nightcap (there’s even a whisky cocktail named The Baroness in honour of famous guest Margaret Thatcher).

A room with a sea view is a must at The Grand. (Image: The Grand Hotel Brighton)

USP: It’s all about the location here.

After a day of shopping, sightseeing and seaside shenanigans, head for the spa – decked out in tasteful gold, stone and champagne tones – to chill out.

They use Natural Spa Factory products, which are chemical and paraben-free, but still offer amazing benefits to complexions in need of serious TLC.

Who you’ll see in the steam room: We’re assured The Grand remains the must-stay pit stop for the rich and famous when they mini-break in the town known as London-upon-Sea. While we were there we saw city types, a high-end hen party and locals looking for the best skincare treatments in town.

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The Landmark London

The lowdown: Dating from 1899, The Landmark was once the capital’s most elegant railway hotel and this five-star property is still just as glamorous today.

The striking Victorian façade remains, as does its beautiful central atrium – once a courtyard used to accommodate carriages and now home to the Winter Garden restaurant, set beneath a vast, glass roof.

The eight-storey, sun-drenched space is full of marble columns and sweeping staircases with white-clothed tables arranged beneath soaring palm trees.

The 300-room hotel has plenty of wow-factor interiors transporting you to a bygone era. Our Marylebone suite overlooked the road but was blissfully quiet and a sprawling, super-luxurious home from home.

The lounge led into a bedroom with a king-sized bed and marble bathroom, with his-and-hers sinks, dressing area, tub and a separate shower.

Make a splash in the 15-metre swimming pool. (Image: The Landmark London)

USP: The Landmark is wonderfully tranquil for a city hotel – and nowhere more so than in the Winter Garden.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and an award-winning afternoon tea, but we opted for the British/Mediterranean fare from the evening á la carte menu, which offers classics such as lobster and king prawn cocktail, dry aged grilled côte de boeuf and warm caramelised apple tart.

Afterwards, head to the Mirror Bar, an intimate mirror-lined room with low, dark-wood tables, to kick back in velvet-upholstered chairs and sip champagne cocktails.

Who you’ll see in the steam room: The Landmark is a celebrity haunt, with fans including Katy Perry and Keira Knightley.

Even if you aren’t staying, you can still book in to stargaze in the sauna on a luxurious spa day.

The Winter Garden restaurant is adorned by palms, marble columns and a glass roof. (Image: The Landmark Hotel)

Time for one treatment:The basement spa is home to a hair salon, sauna, steam rooms and an enormous hot tub, as well as a small but well-equipped gym that overlooks the 15-metre swimming pool.

There are a variety of face and body treatments on offer, using Germaine de Capuccini products.

The 50-minute signature Mediterranean by Candlelight massage uses candle wax made from shea butter and beeswax and scented with olive, lavender or citrus oils.

Hot chakra stones are applied to pressure points before the wax is poured on to skin followed by a firm, full-body massage.